Rug with keepsake photo

ABSTRACT

A unique item for preserving mementos in a highly visible setting involves incorporating a photograph of the treasured memento onto the face of a rug. The decorated rug may be hung on the wall or put in a discreet place on the floor where it is always visible to the passerby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to decorative items. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a decorative rug, which rug has a desired image reproduced thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nearly everyone has a treasured image or photograph of a famous person or place that is kept in an album or hidden away in a drawer or the like where the photograph is rarely seen. Placing the photograph in a frame for display would be an option, but such displays are old and tired and add no sparkle to the decor. The idea of having the famous image reproduced on a carpet (which carpet could be hung on a wall or positioned in a discreet place on the floor) would certainly add “feng shui” to the décor.

The prior art is replete with patents having ornamental rugs as their subject. For example, U.S. patents numbered Des. 49,277 (Petzold), Des. 90,068 (Ericson) and Des. 99,662 (Jones). The designs reproduced on the rugs are woven into the rugs and are not personal images of famous persons or places.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,437 (Upthagrove) discloses a beach mat made of toweling. The mat has the terry cloth pad and storage pouch superimposed atop and fastened to the mat. The pad is shaped as an animal.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,380 (Robbins et al.) is drawn to an automated dye pattern application system that is used to apply design patterns to carpets. The instant patent does not contemplate applying replicas of famous personal images to the carpet.

A kit for making decorative articles is displayed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,770 (Smith). There is no disclosure for utilizing famous personal photos when decorating.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,632 (Bisker) shows a floor tile having a photographic print on the surface thereof. The tile and photograph are to be utilized in a commercial setting.

The www.paintedimaginations.com reference is a website for various products customized with a photographic image. It is noted that personalized carpet tiles are created from photographs.

The www.mattechine.com reference is a website for customized carpet logo mats.

The www.rug-shop.com reference is a website for a shop featuring picture rugs.

None of the above inventions, references and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a personalized rug portraying images of famous people or places as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to a unique item for displaying famous people or places in a highly visible setting. The invention involves incorporating a photograph of the famous person(s) or place onto the face of a rug. The decorated rug may be hung on the wall or put in a discreet place on the floor where it is always visible to the passerby. The incorporated photograph may involve any famous subject, for example, a renown athlete, a revered religious leader, a much visited tourist site, the list is limitless.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a visual memento, which memento is adapted for constant display.

It is another object of the invention provide a visual memento, which memento is displayed on a rug or carpet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a visual memento, which memento is aesthetically pleasing.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is plan view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a scenic photograph of a famous place, namely the capitol of the United States, incorporated in a rug according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is plan view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a photograph of a famous couple (Princess Di and Prince Charles) incorporated in a rug according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is plan view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a famous tourist site (Eiffel tower) incorporated in a rug according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3 wherein the memento of the present invention is generally indicated at 10, 12, and 14 respectively. As shown, the invention comprises a rug or carpet of rectangular, oval and circular configurations. It should be noted, however, that the rug could be configured in almost any shape and size. It should also be noted that the rug might be fabricated from any conventional rug/carpet material. Any photograph of a famous person or place can be incorporated in the rug. As indicated above, the list is limitless.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A memento for constant display comprising: a base member, said base member having a front face; a photographic replica, said photographic replica being incorporated on said front face.
 2. The memento as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member is fabricated from pliable material.
 3. The memento as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member is a rug.
 4. A memento for constant display comprising: a rug fabricated from pliable material, said rug having a front face; a photographic replica, said photographic replica being incorporated on said front face.
 5. A memento as recited in claim 4, wherein said photographic replica is that of a famous person.
 6. A memento as recited in claim 4, wherein said photographic replica is that of a famous place. 